Bengals pilfer Nico Johnson from Chiefs’ practice squad

The Bengals worked out a trio of linebackers this week. Instead of signing Moise Fokou, Erin Henderson, or Austin Spitler, the Bengals opted to lift a linebacker from another team. Sort of.

The Bengals have announced that linebacker Nico Johnson has been signed from the Kansas City practice squad.

A fourth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2013, Johnson appeared in seven games as a rookie, with one start. But he didn’t make the 53-man roster in 2014, and after passing through waivers Johnson signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad.

Practice-squad players are essentially free agents; they can join any team’s active roster, at any time. Johnson has now joined the active roster of the Bengals, who expect to be without veteran Rey Maualuga for a while, due to a hamstring injury he suffered against the Panthers.